The Global Circulation of Chinese Materia Medica, 1700-1949: A Microhistory of the Caterpillar Fungus

This book explores the global spread of Chinese medicinal substances, focusing on the caterpillar fungus, from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries. It investigates tensions between Chinese knowledge and European ideas and offers a transnational perspective on the making of modern European natural history and Chinese materia medica.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate journey of the dissemination of knowledge surrounding Chinese medicinal substances from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries, spanning a global landscape. The author presents a captivating microhistory, shedding light on the remarkable tale of the caterpillar fungus, a natural and medicinal substance that originated in Tibet and gradually integrated into Chinese materia medica throughout the eighteenth century. Through a meticulous tracing of the transmission of the caterpillar fungus from China to France, Britain, Russia, and Japan, the book uncovers the fascinating interplay between prevailing Chinese knowledge and emerging European ideas about this remarkable fungus. These European ideas, which emerged in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, eventually reached communities of scientists, physicians, and other intellectuals in Japan and China.

In pursuit of understanding why the caterpillar fungus captured the attention of so many scientific communities across the globe, the author offers a transnational perspective on the making of modern European natural history and Chinese materia medica. This insightful exploration delves into the complex interplay between cultures, scientific advancements, and the exchange of ideas, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the global history of medicine.

The book's meticulous research and engaging narrative style make it an invaluable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the history of medicine, cultural exchange, and the intersection of science and society. It sheds light on the profound impact of globalization on the dissemination of knowledge and offers valuable insights into the complex processes that shape our understanding of the natural world.

Weight: 529g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031247224
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023